Michigan Football: Breaking down the top 4 Running backs
Zach Charbonnet
247 Sports: CA 8, RB 4, NATL 46
Rivals: CA 8, RB 4, NATL 60
ESPN: CA 15, RB 5, NATL 101
Heading into last season, the running back picture was completely different than it is today. Tru Wilson was named the starter and it appeared to be a race for second between Christian Turner and true freshman Zach Charbonnet.
As of today, Wilson’s name remains in the transfer portal and the jury is still out on whether or not Turner will be the next one out.
While we don’t know if Christian will stick around, we do know that Zach’s future at Michigan football is bright and that when’s he’s completely healthy, he’s unstoppable.
“For him moving forward, just having the clean bill mentally is a big thing,” Jay Harbaugh said on the In The Trenches Podcast. “Feeling that confidence and all that. But really being able to get after it, training-wise. He’s a guy who loves to workout, he loves to train, he loves to do extra. If he could put a cot in the weight room and sleep there, he probably would, like a lot of other guys on our team.”
Zach’s productivity trailed off right around the time rumors began swirling about an injured knee and while those close to the program denied the speculation, it’s certainly plausible if not highly likely that he played a bit banged up; especially considering Jay’s comments from last month.
Early on, Zach dominated the gridiron rushing for a career-high 3 touchdowns against Army while rushing for 100 yards. The next game, Charbonnet was a non-factor, but he bounced back and rushed for a career-high 116 yards three games later.
Charbonnet finished the season accounting for a team-leading 726 rushing yard and 11 touchdowns.
Matt’s Musings
From what I’ve seen on the field, it will be nearly impossible to deny Zach and Hassan the starting roles even with Evans return to the game. Evans will likely transition into a role as a mentor to Charbonnet and Haskins with occasional relief snaps or designed plays. Potentially even lining up in the backfield with the other two or at the slot position.
As for Blake, he should get in two or three games to allow him to redshirt and become the future to-go guy.